By Mark Vester
WBC/WBO/WBA super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe (44-0, 32KOs) is ready to make his mark in America. He moves up in weight to challenge recognized light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins (48-4-1, 32KOs) on April 19 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Calzaghe is hyped to win after Hopkins told him that he "would never lose to a white boy" when the two fighters traded verbal barbs during the Mayweather-Hatton weigh-in last December. No matter what Hopkins plans to bring to the ring, Calzaghe plans to put him away before twelve, but that's easier said than done.
"I always go in prepared," said Calzaghe. "As long as the best Joe Calzaghe turns up, I don't care what he brings to the ring. He could bring a couple of his bodyguards into the ring and he's still going to get done."
Hopkins has opened up as the underdog in the fight, which is nothing new for the Philadelphia fighter. He was the underdog againt Felix Trinidad, Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright. He promised to quit boxing by age 40. Now he's 43 and going up against a high volume pound-for-pound opponent near his prime. Most are wondering if Hopkins has one last trick up his sleeve to outhustle the younger Welshman.
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